EU: Time not yet right for talks with Russia Pres. on Ukraine

BRUSSELS, Jan 12 (KUNA) -- EU Spokesperson Paula Pinho said on Monday that conditions are "not yet ripe" to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the war in Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Pinho explained that the European Union (EU) "has not yet reached that stage", while stressing at the same time that the bloc hopes "at some point" such talks could take place, leading ultimately to peace in Ukraine." The EUآ’s position follows recent statements by French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who called for Europe to re-engage in dialogue.
Meloni had urged the EU, during an annual press conference held on Friday in Rome, to appoint a special envoy to engage with Russia and to open direct dialogue as part of efforts to end the Russian war on Ukraine, affirming her alignment with French President Emmanuel Macron, who had called last month for launching a new dialogue with the Kremlin. (end) arn.mt